12/03/2015

Plants vs Pets, Which is More Likely to Promote Happiness?

Yes, there certainly are positives to owning a pet: companionship, possibly protection from intruders, etc.

But there are also annoyances, financial costs and risks to your health that accompany living with animals. Here are a few to consider.

(Later, we’ll talk about the numerous benefits plants bring into your home and life, with very little downside).

1. Disease:Pets can make you sick. It’s true, many people are allergic to pet hair and dander and they may not realize it until they bring their cute little companion home with them. But once the emotional bond is made, it’s often too difficult for new pet owners to back out of the deal, so they suffer with runny nose, itchy eyes and fatigue.

Furthermore, pets can carry diseases that are transmittable to humans. Round worms and tape worms often infect dogs and some can even bore through your skin. Once inside of your body, they can wreak havoc and cause serious illness.

Another very serious condition that is affecting an increasing number of people across the globe is Lyme disease. It is transmitted to humans via tiny mites and spiders and our animals can bring these into our homes, hidden in their fur. While relaxing on the sofa or laying in bed with our pets, we might become unknowingly infected, suffering for months or years with symptoms that are difficult to diagnose. Often by the time Lyme is identified, it is too late. The damage to joints, heart, brain and central nervous system are irreversible.

Fleas in your home? Yes, invariably, if you bring a pet indoors, you will have fleas. If you have carpeting, the infestation can be, well… disgusting! So, you have a choice, to use a flea collar, which may or may not work, especially for large dogs, with lots of body mass, or you can have monthly injections of insecticide, which are indeed poison and will definitely shorten the life of your pet. Either way, you’re introducing toxic chemicals into your home in a dubious effort to control nasty bugs.

2. Unpredictable Behavior:

Many people regard their pets as almost human, dressing them up in outfits, feeding them at the dinner table and buying them presents for special holidays. But the truth is, pets retain a wild streak, sometimes causing them to react violently for no apparent reason. This violence may be directed at the owner, visitors or passers-by. Even children can become sudden victims and the results can be devastating.

In 2014 there were 42 fatal dog attacks in the USA. This was a sharp rise over the prior several years, which saw 30 to 35 fatal maulings annually. Each year, more than 350,000 dog bite victims are seen in emergency rooms, and approximately 850,000 victims receive medical attention. Data that the CDC collected in the USA between 2001 and 2003 indicated there were 4.5 million dog bite victims per year, but that figure appears to be rising. It’s estimated that as much as 1 billion dollars are paid out to dog bite victims per year, as a result of lawsuits representing a substantial liability for the owner.

3. The Economic Toll: Aside from all that, pets, like children, require ongoing feeding and care, here are the following average estimates for the cost of owning a dog or cat, according to the ASPCA:

One-time pet expenses

•Spaying or Neutering: Dog: $200 / Cat: $145

•Initial Medical Exam: Dog: $70 / Cat: $130

•Collar or Leash: Dog: $30 / Cat: $10

•Litter Box: Cat: $25

•Scratching Post: Cat: $15

•Crate: Dog: $95

•Carrying Crate: Dog: $60 / Cat: $40

•Training: Dog: $110

•Total One-time Costs: Dog: $565 / Cat: $365

Annual pet expenses

Food: Dog: $120-240/ Cat: $145

Annual Medical Exams: Dog: $235 / Cat: $130

Litter: Cat: $200

Toys and Treats: Dog: $55 / Cat: $25

License: Dog: $15

Pet Health Insurance: Dog: $225 / Cat: $175

Miscellaneous: Dog: $45 / Cat: $30

Total Annual Costs: Dog: $695 / Cat: $705

Data obtained from the ASPCA

Now Compare this to owning a plant or having a garden

Positives:

Plants in the house

Create texture, color and beauty

Once planted, they require very little in the way of care.

Plants help to clean the air and exhale oxygen, keeping the atmosphere fresh

They stay put, rather than tearing apart the sofa in a fit of rage

Plants in the Garden

Improve the value of your home

May add beauty and scent to your outdoor environment

Depending on the variety, many plants produce edible fruits, leaves that can be used as tea, or flowers that can decorate a salad

Large shrubs and trees can provide shade and create privacy for an exposed yard.

Many plants attract local and migratory animals like birds, butterflies and bees, thereby bringing Nature into your life.

Some plants like Plumeria, Succulents and Cactus, can be regenerated many times over, creating a potential source of income.

Caring for plants gets you outside, bending, stretching and kneeling.

Contact with the soil actually promotes positive emotions through an increase in serotonin production.

Negatives:

Some plants have nasty thorns that can cut or injure unsuspecting passers by

Initial cost for soil, fertilizer and potting materials

Ongoing expense for water, (more or less, depending on the plant).

Periodic expense for certain pests, such as beetles, ants and flies.

Conclusion:

It’s unlikely that your rosebush is going to uproot itself one day and chase the mailman down the road. And if your favorite Peony dies from lack of water, it’s doubtful that you’ll need to seek therapy to overcome your grief. Overall, the cost/benefit ratio of gardening far outweighs the expense and hassle of owning a pet. Even if you can’t get your Princess Flower to cuddle up in your lap and fall asleep.